Senator Habush Sinykin Introduces Legislation To Hold Data Centers Accountable

MADISON, WI – Today, Senator Habush Sinykin introduced legislation to hold data centers, large energy users, and tech companies accountable to Wisconsin’s workers, environment, and taxpayers. Wisconsin is rapidly becoming a highly sought after destination for development of hyperscale data centers. As local governments choose to engage and invest in this industry–and as digital technology, artificial intelligence, and data storage become an ever-increasing part of our lives and economy, Wisconsin must establish an intentional and responsible regulatory framework for this new economy.

The legislation proposed today would fill the state’s current legislative void by addressing environmental and local community impacts, energy grid and rate effects, labor and workforce interests, and overall transparency. The legislative proposal was developed collaboratively with state-wide environmental organizations, labor unions, and other key stakeholders to ensure Wisconsin communities and ratepayers are protected as energy-intensive industries like data centers expand in the state. With this legislation, Wisconsin has the opportunity to emerge as a responsible leader in this industry.

Senator Habush Sinykin shared the following statement:

“I have been working collaboratively for months to research and create a statewide legislative framework that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and sustainability for data center development in Wisconsin. In doing so, I am proud to have successfully built a coalition of environmental advocates, labor unions, and other key stakeholders to hold data centers and big tech companies accountable to our shared Wisconsin values.

“Although the decision to build a data center originates and proceeds at the local level of government, I believe the state also has a responsibility to regulate this emerging industry. I am proud to be taking a leadership role with this legislation, bringing the conversation to the state level, while also responding to the questions and concerns of constituents to protect our state’s local communities, natural resources, and workforce.

“The TID bill requested by the City of Port Washington and enacted earlier this year focused on providing the city with the financial flexibility needed to protect local taxpayers for a project that was already moving ahead. While I fundamentally believe that these decisions are best decided at the local level, I understand the worry and frustration surrounding the data center’s development in Port Washington, with many constituents feeling left out of the process.

“This is why the new legislation being proposed today is about making sure that we have clear, statewide guardrails in place that provide people in communities across Wisconsin with the information and transparency they need to engage in the local decision-making process in an informed, effective manner from the start. I am proud that this legislation guarantees water usage and energy consumption transparency, increases renewable energy sources across the state, insulates ratepayers from the costs of these projects, and prioritizes good paying, family-supporting jobs.

“As a state senator, I am committed to pursuing legislation that brings people together and moves our state forward, through job creation, environmental stewardship, and policies that support families and a vital workforce here in Wisconsin.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.